Donovan Park Sport Horses & Rehab Services is an established equestrian facility only 30 minutes from Launceston in peaceful & picturesque Meander Valley.
The rural location offers privacy & an ideal setting to enhance learning for capacity building life skills via Equine Assisted Skills Development programs.Â
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Donovan Park also facilitates group Team Building activities & caters for clinics & workshops.
Equine Assisted Learning (EAL)
Building better communities through skill development
A unique life skills development program for 10+ year old’s offering experiential learning opportunities that arise working with horses in structured, ground based activities. In an outdoor, non-clinical environment, the horses provide immediate feedback & are an integral part of the facilitation team.Â
Equestrian Groundwork Education (EGE)
Horse & Handler building a partnership of trust & respect as a foundation for any equestrian pursuit.
Specifically for horse owners requiring ground-based skills to learn the language of the horse & through attuned communication be able to teach & experience their horse through a partnership lens.
ANIMAL INTERACTION
Animal Interaction is for anyone wanting to immerse themselves with some cute and quirky animals that love attention.Â
SADDLEFIT ASSESSMENT
When was the last time you had your saddle fit professionally checked?Â
BAREFOOT HOOF TRIMMING
I have over 15 years experience providing professional hoof balance & corrective services
BODYWORK
Muscle Rehab Treatment is an effective combination of modalities to release tension and restore balance in the equine body.Â
TESTIMONIALS
Meet The EAL Team
JAFFA
Born 20/01/2015 at Donovan Park
Grey warmblood gelding 16.2h
ROGER
Dob: 13/12/2005
Bay Clydesdale/Standardbred cross 16.2h
GIDGET & MISS ELLIE
Born 11/2014 at Donovan Park
Black warmblood mare 16.1h
Born 2015
Palouse pony mare 12.3h
MRS WILKINSON (aka Wilkie)
Born approx. 2002
Mini cross pony mare
Lehrer
Rottweiler
MACIE-GRACE
DOB: 12/11/2015
Arabian Riding Pony mare 13.1h
PINOT TABOOLA (aka Wonkey Donkey)
Dob: 17/11/2018
Miniature Mediterranean Donkey
FRECKLES & PATCH
HONOR
BUFFY
HAMISH
NEWS
How therapy ponies are helping a former draught horse expert get back in the saddle
By Sarah Abbott
97 year old farmer Alan Mitchelson has spent plenty of his life alongside horses, mostly working with draught horses and pack horses on his family farm near Westbury.
These days he puts his horse-whispering skills to use when meeting much smaller members of the equine family, as he did earlier this week at the equine assisted learning facility, Donovan Park.
Alan was part of a group of dementia clients that visited the facility recently, run by Jo Pickett, on a mission to get some quality hang-out time with its furry residents.
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
Eagala qualified professional Equine Specialist since 2015
Equine Assisted Skills Development Facilitator
Aust Equine Facilitated Learning Practitioner (AEFL) certified since 2022
Saddlefit4Life Equine Ergonomist since certified since 2014Â Â (1st person in Australasia to gain this recognition)